WEST Ham extended their unbeaten run to eight games after a resolute defensive display saw them shut out Arsenal's mis-firing stars.

There was little to shout about in the way of chances for Gianfranco Zola's men, who had scored 18 goals in their past seven games. But that won't matter to the Italian, as the commanding pairing of Matthew Upson and James Collins ensured they escaped North London with a valuable point.

The Gunners enjoyed the lion's share of the possession but they failed to penetrate the Irons' back four, who nullified the threat of Emmanuel Adebayor and Nicklas Bendtner with consummate ease.

The lively Samir Nasri caused West Ham skipper Lucas Neill plenty to think about during the first half, but still a telling final ball eluded the hosts.

It was largely a back to the wall job for the visitors, and Zola will be delighted with the way in which his players applied themselves, after coming through rather more routine examinations against Fulham, Hartlepool and Hull City.

As wave after wave of attack swarmed the Hammers, the midfield more than pulled their weight in the defensive stakes, as Valon Behrami and Scott Parker in particular ran their socks off to protect the final line of defence behind them.

The only efforts on goal West Ham did manage was a Collins header which was cleared off the line by Gael Clichy, and a late Carlton Cole shot that was easily dealt with by Manuel Almunia, putting paid to his ambitions of scoring his seventh goal in eight games.

Adebayor wasted the best of Arsenal's chances, with a free header finding the grateful arms of Robert Green, while he managed to get a toe to a whipped ball across the box from Bacary Sagna, only to see the ball fly wide of the mark.